Hurricane in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Convict Camp and Wagon Road
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012
1. Convict Camp and Wagon Road Marker
In 1915 prisoners from the Utah State Prison camped here among these very rocks. They were detailed to build a wagon road up the fault, directly east from here. Remnants of the road can still bee seen with its lava rocks retaining walls. The work was performed by about 50 men and 30 teams with scrapers, according to the Washington County News. The Men worked January through March. State level support for this project came about because the road would become a key part of a highway to link Yellowstone National Park in the north and Grand Canyon National Park to the south. The road also provided a crucial access road to Little Creek mountain where much needed firewood could be obtained. The road was especially vital for the wool wagons from the Gourds Shearing Corral to shorten their trip to the railroad at Lund. This road was quite steep; coming down grade was freighting. Men dragged a log or rock behind the wagon to slow it down.
This marker is on one of the tent sites. These prisoners worked on several other projects throughout Southern Utah. Like one pioneer said, "We need more of these good men!"
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 37° 10.783′ N, 113° 16.956′ W. Marker is in Hurricane, Utah, in Washington County. Marker is on East 200 North, 0.1 miles east of North State Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hurricane UT 84737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneer Bowery (here, next to this marker); The Historic Hurricane Canal (a few steps from this marker); Birth of Hurricane (a few steps from this marker); The Historic Dixie-Long Valley, Utah Pioneer Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Historic Hurricane Canal (approx. 0.3 miles away); Many Came by Handcart (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Kolob Mountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Town Named After a Buggy Incident (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurricane.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012
2. Convict Camp and Wagon Road Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012
3. Photo on Convict Camp and Wagon Road Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012
4. Photo on Convict Camp and Wagon Road Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 12, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
